Here it is, the night of the concert! I wanted to put something in the story that was similar to the movie/musical. This has always been one of my favorite scenes so I just had to go there :) It might not be original, I grant you, but I hope you enjoy it anyway. As always...read and review my awesome readers!

Christine looked out at the audience. All eyes were on her. She went over the plan one more time in her head. She would start, singing a simple introduction, Raoul would then join her on stage. Mr. Duvone had told them not to worry about the characters or trying to act, just to simply sing. Christine couldn't help think how wrong he was. As she never got the chance to see Erik's opera live (due to that disastrous night) she had studied her character and Erik's music religiously since. It was simply magnificent. She had never heard anything so passionate or so beautiful. She didn't want to 'simply sing', she wanted to do it justice. The TV cameras surround the stage. They made Christine nervous, but she had been instructed to try and take no notice of them. She scoffed, that would be easier said than done. Christine took a deep breathe and prayed if Erik were watching, he would be proud of her. Taking her position, she opened her mouth and began.

"No thoughts within her head, but thoughts of joy. No dreams within her heart, but dreams of love!"

Christine now waited for Raoul to join her.

Passarino - go away!
For the trap is set and waits for its prey . . .

Christine froze. That was not Raoul. It sounded like...NO...it couldn't be...

You have come here
In pursuit of your deepest urge
In pursuit of that wish which till now
Has been silent

His voice grew intimate as he whispered the next line.

Silent...

Christine whipped around. There was no doubt about it, it was Erik. She felt her knees go week. During these past few months she had dreamt of this moment. She longed to see him, touch him, kiss him. Now here he was...dressed in a dashing black suit, his hair smoothed back and an enticing black mask hiding his face. He looked daring, fearless and positively dangerous. His gazed burned into hers as he continued, his hands expressing the words he sang.

I have brought you,
That our passions may fuse and merge
In your mind you've already succumbed to me,
Dropped all defenses,
Completely succumbed to me.
Now you are here with me
No second thoughts
You've decided
Decided.

Christine felt herself being pulled toward his voice. It wasn't just the words he was singing, it was how he sang. Each note dripped sensuality.

Past the point of no return
No backward glances
Our games of make-believe are at an end.

As he drew closer, Christine could feel the heat surging from his body.

Past all thought of "if" or "when"
No use resisting
Abandon thought and let the dream descend

Erik seized Christine and spun her around. She felt his hands slowly caress her body. She thought she saw a few women in the audience faint before her eyes rolled back at the sheer pleasure of his touch.

What raging FIRE shall flood the soul!
What rich desire unlocks its door...
What sweet seduction lies before us?

Reluctantly he started to release her body. His hands traveled from her waist to the sides of her breasts. Christine's breathe caught in her throat. Running his hands across her neck, he moved to her side, sliding his palms down her arm until he grasped only her hand.

Past the point of no return,
the final threshold -
what warm, unspoken secrets will we learn?
Beyond the point of no return . . .

Erik's eyes once again settled on hers, the corner of his mouth twitched. His message was clear. He was daring her...challenging her. Meeting his gaze with just as much fire, she lifted her head and spun around. She circled him as she sang, her voicing ringing out loud and clear.

You have brought me
To that moment when words run dry
To that moment when speech disappears
Into silence
Silence.

It was now Christine's turn to show him what she could do and she took full advantage of it. She sang, teasing and provoking him just as he had her.

I have come here,
Hardly knowing the reason why
In my mind I've already imagined
Our bodies entwining
Defenseless and silent,
Now I am here with you
No second thoughts
I've decided
Decided.

Richard Duvone watched in disgust from backstage. He felt his lip curl as he spoke into his phone, "Keep the cameras on him, no matter what happens, keep the cameras rolling, do you hear me? Take your places, and do exactly as instructed. If it isn't done exactly as I asked, you can kiss your money goodbye." He slammed his phone closed and turned back to the performance, that little bitch was finally finishing her part. It was almost time.

When will the blood begin to race?
The sleeping bud burst into bloom?
When will the flames at last CONSUME us?

Erik and Christine once again drifted closer and closer. Their bodies were now pressed against each other, molded together. Christine reached and grabbed his coat, lost in the passion of the moment. Their voices joined, entwining in perfect harmony.

Past the point of no return
The final threshold
The bridge is crossed
So stand and watch it burn
We've passed the point of no return.

With that final note, Erik crushed Christine to him as his lips claimed hers. Christine moaned. It had been so long. She opened her mouth and took more of him in, not caring they still had an audience. As she went to tighten her grasp, she suddenly felt Erik being ripped from her arms. She opened her eyes in confusion only to see two men holding Erik down, his mask being ripped from him.

"No!" Christine cried, rushing forward. But it was too late. His mask was gone. He roared savagely as he was thrown to the center of the stage. Cameras flashed and people started screaming. Horrified Christine tried to race over to him but was held back by two strong arms.

"Try not to struggle Christine, I don't want to hurt you." Raoul's voice whispered. "I told you Mr. Duvone would win, just watch."

Christine continued to struggle until she heard Mr. Duvone's voice fill the auditorium.

"Well, well...take a good look world! I want to introduce you to a real life demon! Meet the very spawn from Hell!"

The TV cameras focused in on Erik while onlookers gasped. Some people in the audience had fainted again, this time from horror. A few were throwing up in trash cans. Most were simply staring, their eyes wide with fright.

"This disgusting creature would have you think he is an angel! But now you all see the truth! Take a good look at it's filthy vile face." Laughter echoed through the microphone. "Finally the world will see you as you truly are, as the repulsive demon who killed it's own mother!"

Christine was filled with hatred. How could a father do this to his child?! Tears spilled down her face. Erik was crumpled in the middle of the stage, his hands covering his face. Christine knew he needn't bother, the world had gotten a perfect view thanks to the TV cameras. She couldn't bare anymore. Finding a strength within her she didn't know she possessed, she tore herself from Raoul's arms and ran as quick as she could falling to her knees in front of Erik.

Reaching out she whispered his name. Erik raised his face, the pain in his eyes almost unbearable. She was overcome with an uncontrollable urge to sooth him the only way she could think of. She took a deep breath and started to sing.

No more talk of darkness,
Forget these wide-eyed fears
I'm here, nothing can harm you
my words will warm and calm you

The audience had grown silent the moment Christine began to sing. They seemed to be hypnotized by what was taking place. They watched in amazement as Christine reached her hand out and caressed Erik's mangled cheek.

Let me be your freedom,
let daylight dry your tears.
I'm here with you, beside you,
to guard you and to guide you...

Erik enclosed her hand with his. He lifted himself to his knees and sang back.

Say you love me every waking moment,
turn my head with talk of summertime...
Say you need me with you now and always...
Promise me that all you say is true
that's all I ask of you

Christine smiled and continued.

Let me be your shelter
let me be your light
You're safe, No one will find you
your fears are far behind you...

Erik drew strength from her words and raised himself from the floor. He pulled Christine to her feet and bore all he felt, not caring his face was exposed. All that mattered right now was him and Christine.

All I want is freedom,
a world with no more night
and you, always beside me, to hold me and to hide me

Christine felt the tears falling once more. He was so beautiful, exposing not only his face but his heart before the world. She knew he did it for her, telling her how much he loved her, begging her to never leave him again. My God, how could she have ever doubted or feared his love? She desperately needed him to know she was fully his. She would never again be so foolish. He was her other half and she couldn't live another day without him!

Then say you'll share with me
one love, one lifetime
let me lead you from your solitude
Say you need me with you here, beside you...
anywhere you go, let me go too
that's all I ask of you...

The audience was now weeping. People once terrified were lost in the beauty of such a love. Richard Duvone watched with outrage as his plan fell apart. NO. He wasn't through! He would stop this once and for all! He reached into his coat feeling for his pistol. Almost instantly he felt a gun dig into his back.

"I wouldn't do that if I were you." Nadir whispered dangerously.

Richard's face turned red with anger but he was smart enough to stay still. Nadir managed to disarm him and motioned for him to continue watching the show.

"After all", Nadir urged, "I'd hate for you to miss the finale."

Erik's voice rang out, "Say you'll share with me one love, one lifetime...say the word and I will follow you..."

He grasped Christine's hands in his as they both sang in perfect unison:

Share each day with me,
each night, each morning...

The audience practically sighed as they heard Erik sing, "Say you love me..."

Christine smiled and sang back, "You know I do..."

Their mouths drew closer as they sang the final line together.

Love me - that's all I ask of you.

Christine gave in and once again found herself kissing Erik in front of a huge audience of strangers. The crowd erupted in a frenzy of applause. People cheered and whistled until the two love birds broke apart.

"Follow my lead," Erik heard Christine whisper. He watched as she turned to the audience and curtsied.

Giving her an amused look he spun her around, kissed her hand, and joined her in another bow.

Leading her off the stage Erik pulled her aside, "What was that about?"

Christine answered, "To make them think this was all an act, a part of the show. This way we can be left alone and your father will have never gotten any satisfaction from what he did."

Erik stood there bewildered, "You're an amazing woman Christine Dae."

Christine smirked and assured him she knew.

Groaning Erik pulled her to him and just held her.

"I can't believe you are in my arms again," he breathed.

Christine snuggled closer, never wanting his arms to open again.

"Did you mean what you sang?" he asked as his lips pressed into her hair.

Christine lifted her head to look at him.

"Oh Erik, of course I did! I love you so much! Please forgive me..." she cried sobbing into his shirt. She felt all the pent up feelings of regret rush out of her. She found she couldn't control her emotions any longer.

"My Christine..." Erik moaned. His mouth once again settled over her own. They grasped and pulled at each other as if trying to make up for all those months apart in a single moment.

The sound of a man clearing his throat caused them to momentarily break apart.

"Erik," Nadir faced them both, not looking the least bit uncomfortable for intruding on such an intimate moment.

"Impeccable timing, as always Nadir." Erik smirked.

"I figured you got most of that out on stage...both times," Nadir retorted, raising an eyebrow.

Christine blushed and Erik simply rolled his eyes.

"I thought you might want this," Nadir held out Erik's mask.

"Erik, you don't have to put that back on," Christine protested.

Looking down at her Erik stroked her cheek, "Never when we are alone my dear, I promise. But, despite what happened tonight, I am not yet ready for anything more."

Christine nodded, understanding his request.

"Where is my father?" Erik demanded. He intended to make the man savagely pay for all he had done.

"Come," Nadir motioned, "While you two were busy serenading each other in front of the world, I learned some very interesting information. You won't believe it."

Erik took Christine's hand in his as they followed Nadir curious to see what further developments this night could bring.

Whew, well there it is. I hope you enjoyed this chapter. We are almost over in our story, but not quite :) A few more chapters left. Up next...we learn some surprising information about Erik's family and past! Plus some much needed E/C fluff!